Dorothy FarrarVaricocele (varicose vein rupture)
In the case of a varicocele (ruptured varicose vein) , the testicular vein and the venous network in the testicle are enlarged like varicose veins. This is the most common cause of infertility in men. Since varicoceles are destroyed, existing sterility can often be reversed.
What is a varicocele (varicose vein rupture)?
A varicocele (rupture of a varicose vein) is an enlargement, lengthening and tortuosity of the testicular vein and the venous network. A varicocele impairs fertility, depending on the degree of its severity, via different mechanisms, for example an increased body temperature in the testicle area. In a high percentage, the disease occurs on the left side. Varicocele is the most common blood vessel disease in the male reproductive system, with a higher proportion of those affected during growth. The severity is classified as follows: In grade I, the varicocele can only be felt when trying to press, and in grade II without provocation. At grade III, changes in the scrotal veins are visible.
causes
The reason for a varicocele is usually a hereditary, disturbed blood flow from the testicular vein. As a result, the functionality of the venous valve is impaired, which in turn leads to an increase in pressure in the blood vessel . This causes the varicose vein-like enlargement that is characteristic of the varicocele.
The disruption of blood flow can result from a narrowed renal vein through the aorta or an unfavorable transition of the vein into the renal vein. Due to their expansion, tumors can also lead to an increase in pressure and disruption of blood flow due to vascular tears or blood clots . These cases are symptomatic varicoceles.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of varicocele (varicose vein fracture):
- Tense testicle
Up to 20 percent of men, mostly between the ages of 15 and 25, can be affected by a varicocele, which usually causes no symptoms. Therefore, the disease often progresses without symptoms and is more of an incidental finding in an examination. Only in some cases does it show up as a pulling pain in the area of the testicles and groin. This occurs mainly during physical exertion and when standing.
However, some patients are also affected by the typical signs: A scrotum that feels heavy, full and tense. Worm-like swellings appear on the scrotum, which are visible when straining with or without increased abdominal pressure. The testicles on the affected side can be smaller, especially in children, due to growth inhibition, which indicates impaired sperm production.
In the worst case, no sperm are produced, which means infertility. Early initiation of therapy is very important for varicocele. In this case, the prognosis is usually good after successful treatment and the risk of infertility is usually averted. If a varicocele is not treated, this leads to serious damage to sperm production, reduced testicular volume and reduced function of the testicular cells. If sperm damage is already severe, surgical therapy can be successful.
Diagnose
Varicoceles are usually detected during a physical exam. The testicles are palpated in various positions such as standing, lying and squatting. The stage can also be determined at this stage. First-degree varicoceles can be felt as a worm-shaped ball when the patient is standing while pressing the abdomen. Second-degree varicoceles are palpable without straining while standing, and third-degree varicoceles are visible through the varicose veins. The structure and size of the testicles can be determined by sonography and a kidney tumor can be ruled out. An X-ray examination with a contrast agent provides information about how functional the venous network is.
treatment and therapy
Treatment is very important for several reasons. On the one hand, the symptoms of a varicocele can be very uncomfortable and there is also an increased risk of infertility. There are no drugs to treat the condition. The therapy is usually a minor surgical intervention. The vessel is tied off and severed, which can be done as part of a larger and open operation or with a buttonhole surgery: Only a few small incisions are made, through which the instruments are inserted.
The vessels in the testicles that are dilated can also be sclerosed. This means that a substance is injected into the vessels, causing them to become “destroyed” and allowing the blood to drain easily through other blood vessels. Another option is to artificially close the vessel. For this purpose, either a tissue adhesive can be introduced or a small spiral can be used. This should be done in the following cases:
- Repeated pain
- Decreased testicular volume
- Varicose veins Grade III
- Varicocele is perceived as a disability
Treatment for secondary varicocele depends on the underlying disease, such as a tumor. Good therapy leads to freedom from pain and an increase in the volume of the testicles in more than 80 percent of those affected. The sperm quality also increases again, it is suspected. Without therapy, the varicocele leads to infertility.
prevention
Varicoceles are due to a disruption in the flow of blood from the testicular vein. Since this is usually genetic, no direct prevention is possible.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.